Bricknasty and Bicep among nominees for Independent Music Awards 2026

Irish acts Bricknasty and Bicep are among the nominees for the Independent Music Awards 2026.

Bricknasty’s Blacks Law was nominated for Best Independent Mixtape/EP, alongside the likes of Jim Legxacy and Strandz ; while Bicep are among the candidates for Best Independent Album with Takkuuk (Original Soundtrack), joining Geese, Mitski, Robyn and more.

Nominations are led by New York electronic group Fcukers, with three nods in the Best Independent Album category, Best Independent Track and Independent Breakthrough.

Robyn, Jalen Ngonda, Jim Legxacy, Jorja Smith, Nova Twins, Romy and Tiana Major9 all received two nominations each.

“The array of artists and genres on display here,” commented Gee Davy, CEO of the Association of Independent Music, “demonstrates once again that the independent music sector is the most exciting, authentic and groundbreaking place in the industry.”

Due for release on July 25, BICEP’s Takkuuk (Original Soundtrack) accompanies the immersive installation Takkuuk, created by the Belfast duo, visual artist Zak Norman and filmmaker Charlie Miller exploring the lives, communities and challenges facing artists Indigenous to the Arctic Region.

It was created in partnership with the charity In Place of War, as part of their EarthSonic programme and includes collaboration with Indigenous vocalists, including Katarina Barruk, Andachan, Sebastian Enequist (from Sound of the Damned), Tarrak, Nuija, Niilas and Silla.

Bricknasty’s Blacks Law was released on October 29, 2025, and was nominated for Irish Album of the Year at the Choice Music Prize, as well as earning the Dublin band a nomination for Irish Breakthrough Artist.

Winners will be revealed of the 2026 Independent Music Awards on September 22 at London’s Roundhouse.

Check out the full list of nominees below:

Best Independent Track

Debby Friday - Bet On Me (Sub Pop Records)
Fcukers - L.U.C.K.Y (Ninja Tune)
Genesis Owusu - Stampede (Ourness)
Jalen Ngonda - Doctrine of Love (Daptone Records)
Jim Legxacy - 3x (XL Recordings)
Jorja Smith - The Way I Love You (FAMM)
Nova Twins - Piranha (Marshall Records)
Robyn - Dopamine (Young / Konichiwa)
Romy - Love Who You Love (Young)
Tiana Major9 - Desire (+1 Records)

Best Independent Album

Bicep - Takkuuk (Original Soundtrack) (Ninja Tune, EarthSonic)
Blawan - SickElixir (XL Recordings)
Fcukers - Ö (Ninja Tune)
Geese - Getting Killed (Partisan Records/Play It Again Sam)
Mitski - Nothing’s About to Happen to Me (Dead Oceans)
Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies (Marshall Records)
Prostitute - Attempted Martyr (Mute)
Robyn - Sexistential (Young / Konichiwa)
SCALER - Endlessly (Black Acre)
Thundercat - Distracted (Brainfeeder)

Independent Breakthrough

Fat Dog (Domino Recording Co.)
Fcukers (Ninja Tune)
Jalen Ngonda (Daptone Records)
Tiana Major9 (+1 Records)
Ego Ella May (Believe UK)

Best Independent Mixtape/EP

Bricknasty - Blacks Law (FAMM)
Jim Legxacy - Black British Music (2025) (XL Recordings)
Naima Bock - Live in Toulon (Sub Pop Records)
Strandz - Diaspora Dance Music (Strandz Music)
TTSSFU - Blown (Partisan Records)

Best Independent Remix

If We Ever (High Contrast Remix) - Overmono (XL Recordings)
Love Who You Love (SHERELLE’s Intelligent Dyke Music Remix) - Sherelle, Romy (Young)
Sexistential (Arca’s Take) - Robyn (Young / Konichiwa)
The Way I Love You (TS7 Remix) - Jorja Smith, TS7 (FAMM)
You (Donae’O Remix) - House Gospel Choir and Donae’O (Swear Down Music)

One To Watch

Ashaine White (Marshall Records)
Alewya (LDN Records)
Lauren Auder (untitled (recs))
Mandy, Indiana (Sacred Bones Records)
Native James (SharpTone Records)